Pre-16 - University of Staffordshire

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The Widening Participation team are able to offer a range of both in-school sessions, which can also be delivered virtually, and campus visits for schools across the region.

Our activities raise awareness of the benefits of university and inspire your learners to think about their future, particularly among learners who are from backgrounds which are currently under-represented in higher education.

Key Stage 3 and 4 Masterclasses

Our masterclasses are designed to give your students an insight into what university is really like. They are made up of half- or full-day mini lectures and interactive workshops that are linked to the national curriculum.

Key Stage 3

Business, Marketing and Finance

Give it some Gousto

Have you ever bought something online and before the sale is complete a message offers you a range of other items to buy, telling you that “people who bought this item also bought…”?

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Negotiation – The art of persuasion

As a business professional, entrepreneur or financier, being an effective negotiator is an important skill to acquire when dealing with both colleagues and clients. Negotiating conditions of sale, prices, lease details, service delivery and other legal contracts can set the foundations for business success. An understanding of when and how to negotiate along with confidence in negotiation skills can be developed within this masterclass.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Social Media and Fake News

This masterclass challenges students to research social media platforms and identify appropriate platforms and messages while exploring a fake news scenario.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Computing and Games

AI and Robotics

Students will take part in a choice of activities that provide an overview of AI and Robotics.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Cyber Attack

Students will take part in the narrative of a fictional cyber-attack that gives them first-hand experience of cyber security and the careers within its sector.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Networking

You will learn about the importance of networking and cyber security. You will also learn about Career pathways in Networking and the range of roles in this area.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Creative Arts and Media

An insight into the creative industries: present and potential futures

Get an insider’s view and understand more about the creative industries.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Discover Art & Design Masterclass 1

Students will explore a range of different approaches to contemporary Art & Design through a variety of interactive workshops which will give students hands-on experience in the different fields within the discipline.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Feature Film Production

These 2 x one hour workshops will introduce you to the world of Feature Film Production.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction: In this fast-paced session, you’ll learn from our team of published and award-winning writers — all of whom are masters of their craft. You’ll leave with a completed “short-short-story” — also known as a Flash Fiction — and in the process you’ll discover how to make every word count!

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Gothic Literature and the Vampire

A narrated PowerPoint with activities – this is aimed at uncovering the roots of Gothic culture and thinking about the vampire figure as a particular example of its literary manifestation.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Making an Audio Production for Streaming and Download

In this workshop we’ll introduce you to Podcasting and how to get your podcast listened to via streaming platforms.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Preproduction for Short Films Masterclass: Idea Generation and Storyboarding

This one-hour workshop will introduce you to creating concepts for short films and then take those concepts and turn them into professional storyboards!

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

So you want to work in the sports media

Try your hand at writing a football match report

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Storytelling and Sense-Making: why and how we tell stories..

In this dynamic and interactive workshop, we look at storytelling across mediums.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Health, Sport and Exercise

Careers in Health Care Masterclass 1

During this masterclass students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a number of areas including Nursing, Midwifery, and Operating Department Practice. These sessions will take place in our specialist healthcare facilities which include our simulated clinical labs.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Careers in Health Care Masterclass 2

During this masterclass students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a number of professional-area based sessions including Basic Life Support CPR, Infection Control, Injection Administration and Monitoring SATS.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

So you want to work in the sports media

Try your hand at writing a football match report

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

Education for a Sustainable World - A Home for Monty

Students will then be introduced to ‘Monty.’ Monty is a creature called a Snook and he has become lost and the students have found him. Monty needs a home and asks them to help.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Education for a Sustainable World- Using ‘Loose Parts’ in Education

Architect Simon Nicholson in 1972 developed the Theory of Loose Parts; materials that can be moved around, designed and redesigned, and tinkered with to create infinitely more opportunities for creative engagement than static materials and environments.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Flash Fiction

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Gothic Literature and the Vampire

A narrated PowerPoint with activities – this is aimed at uncovering the roots of Gothic culture and thinking about the vampire figure as a particular example of its literary manifestation.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Terrible Teachers

Based around the ‘Horrible Histories’ model, we will be looking at childhood, education, schools and teachers from the past.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Wellbeing and Mental Health - Colours of Hope

Students will explore how to use colour and art to express their feelings and emotions.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Law, Policing, Forensics and Criminology

Crime and Media

Students will examine the relationship between crime and the media and the way that public knowledge of crime and justice predominantly derives from the media, whether that is traditional or, more recently, online media.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Crime and Sentencing

What is the difference between a trial and sentencing? How do judges and magistrates decide what sentence should be in a particular case? Should everyone who commits the same crime get the same sentence?

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Does the punishment fit the crime?

Students will examine the relationship between a crime and its level of punishment in relation to the justice system. How serious should a crime be in order to warrant a custodial sentence? Is it clear what level of punishment is appropriate for different criminal offences?

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Probation Services: How do we manage offenders?

Students will examine the way that we manage criminal offenders in the United Kingdom and the nature of HMI Prisons while considering the varied roles and careers within the justice system.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Science and Engineering

Discover Engineering

Students will explore a range of different approaches to contemporary Engineering through a variety of different interactive workshops which will give students hands-on experience in the different fields within the discipline.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Key Stage 4

Business, Marketing and Finance

Give it some Gousto

Have you ever bought something online and before the sale is complete a message offers you a range of other items to buy, telling you that “people who bought this item also bought…”?

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Negotiation – The art of persuasion

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Show Me The Money! Digital Dollars

In today’s society the creation of wealth is achieved in new and exciting ways. It is much more than selling a product for a fixed price - technology has enabled us to make money without making physical products.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Social Media and Fake News

This masterclass challenges students to research social media platforms and identify appropriate platforms and messages while exploring a fake news scenario.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Computing and Games

AI and Robotics

Students will take part in a choice of activities that provide an overview of AI and Robotics.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Cyber Attack

Students will take part in the narrative of a fictional cyber-attack that gives them first-hand experience of cyber security and the careers within its sector.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Networking

You will learn about the importance of networking and cyber security. You will also learn about Career pathways in Networking and the range of roles in this area.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Creative Arts and Media

Acting Techniques

We will introduce you to exciting actor training techniques which gives creative freedom to the actor when working on a text.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

An insight into the creative industries: present and potential futures

Get an insider’s view and understand more about the creative industries.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Discover Art & Design Masterclass 1

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Discover Art & Design Masterclass 2

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries

During this workshop, students will have a live brief, followed by exploring how to work as a team in relation to creative ideas generation, as well as having to do a simple budget and examine values and vision statements.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Feature Film Production

These 2 x one hour workshops will introduce you to the world of Feature Film Production.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Flash Fiction

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Gothic Literature and the Vampire

A narrated PowerPoint with activities – this is aimed at uncovering the roots of Gothic culture and thinking about the vampire figure as a particular example of its literary manifestation.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Making an Audio Production for Streaming and Download

In this workshop we’ll introduce you to Podcasting and how to get your podcast listened to via streaming platforms.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Preproduction for Short Films Masterclass: Idea Generation and Storyboarding

This one-hour workshop will introduce you to creating concepts for short films and then take those concepts and turn them into professional storyboards!

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

So you want to work in the sports media

Try your hand at writing a football match report

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Storytelling and Sense-Making: why and how we tell stories..

In this dynamic and interactive workshop, we look at storytelling across mediums.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Health, Sport and Exercise

Careers in Health Care Masterclass 1

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Careers in Health Care Masterclass 2

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

So you want to work in the sports media

Try your hand at writing a football match report

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

Discover Humanities Masterclass

Explore a diverse range of History, International Relations and Global Politics themes to complement your A-Level History and Politics curriculum.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Education for a Sustainable World - A Home for Monty

Students will then be introduced to ‘Monty.’ Monty is a creature called a Snook and he has become lost and the students have found him. Monty needs a home and asks them to help.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Education for a Sustainable World- Using ‘Loose Parts’ in Education

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Flash Fiction

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Gothic Literature and the Vampire

A narrated PowerPoint with activities – this is aimed at uncovering the roots of Gothic culture and thinking about the vampire figure as a particular example of its literary manifestation.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Terrible Teachers

Based around the ‘Horrible Histories’ model, we will be looking at childhood, education, schools and teachers from the past.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Wellbeing and Mental Health - Colours of Hope

Students will explore how to use colour and art to express their feelings and emotions.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Law, Policing, Forensics and Criminology

Contempt of Court and Social Media

This session will introduce participants to the balance that is struck between freedom of expression and protecting the integrity of court trials from things published, including on social media, that may damage the fairness of the trial.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Crime and Media

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Crime and Sentencing

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Digital Forensics

This Digital forensics practical provides an opportunity to look through some mobile phone data using a forensic tool to search for evidence, extract and present.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Does the punishment fit the crime?

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Forensic Analysis Workshop

This masterclass will enable students to gain experience analysing evidence relating to different types of offences, such as murder, drug trafficking and serious assault cases.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

How are laws made?

This session will give participants an understanding of the role of Parliament in the legislative process, other themes such as the question of whether judges make law will also be explored

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Law and Morality

This session will examine the link between law and morality. It will be partly interactive and will invite participants to express their opinions and argue for particular points of view.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Probation Services: How do we manage offenders?

Students will examine the way that we manage criminal offenders in the United Kingdom and the nature of HMI Prisons while considering the varied roles and careers within the justice system.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Youth Offending

Students will explore the issues of criminal behaviour and criminal responsity when considering the prosecuation of young people with reference to actual case studies.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Science and Engineering

Discover Engineering

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Careers advice and guidance

Benefits of Higher Education (Pre-16)

This session is aimed at pre-16 students and will cover the benefits of Higher Education.

Key stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4

Budgeting

This session will help students to think about how they perceive money. It will get them to think about budgeting and tips to save money, both now and in the future at University.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Student Life at University of Staffordshire

In just three minutes Education Studies student, Imogen, gives us an insight into her life as a student and why she chose University of Staffordshire.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Where to Go, What to Study

Choosing what course to study can be a difficult decision, this session will provide you with some helpful advice to start you on your journey.

Key stage: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Children's University

Children’s University is an award scheme for children aged 7- 14, that encourages, tracks and celebrates their participation in learning beyond the classroom.

Woodlands Forest School

Primary and secondary pupils can explore exciting outdoor learning experiences at our new Woodlands Forest School.

University Experience Days - UNITY

This on campus day will be delivered as part of the UNIty project.

UNIty is a collaborative project delivered in partnership with Keele University and Harper Adams University. It aims to increase pupils’ awareness of higher education showing them what to expect if they go to university. It raises awareness of the benefits of university and inspires your learners to think about their future and what they could achieve.

The day will include a, campus tour, all delivered by our specially trained undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with interactive workshops delivered by the three Universities showcasing the variety of subjects available in the region.

Visits must be arranged in advance, so that a suitable programme can be arranged and are subject to appropriate staff and venues being available.

Please note, there are a limited number of places per school and the event has a capacity of 90 pupils per day. We would request that students participating in the events meet one or more of our widening participation criteria. Please email the Schools and Colleges Liason team to enquire.

STEM Ambassadors

Connecting young people with STEM industry experts.

STEM Ambassadors help to bring STEM subjects alive and provide real-life examples of industry careers, creating an invaluable link between schools and industry. For the last 20 years, they have been an incredible resource to schools, colleges and communities across the UK and can be requested to support STEM skills across the curriculum and cross-curricular work.

Request a STEM ambassador

Competitions and projects

Poetry and Visual Arts Project

Students from years 7-13 were invited to write a poem or create a piece of visual art based on one of three themes. Read our anthology of 2023 submissions

Future Journalist Winners Painsley for web

Staffordshire Future Journalist Awards

Organised by University of Staffordshire, the annual competition aims to inspire tomorrow’s journalists, bloggers, and content creators.